The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson : Book review

A big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the audiobook ARC of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson. I was excited for this workplace romance, which follows Bryony, an aspiring author trying to get her first book published, and Jack, a literary agent searching for a ghostwriter for a famous client. While the premise had so much potential, I found myself disappointed with the execution. The story had its charming moments, but it lacked the depth and emotional connection I was hoping for. The romance felt a bit underdeveloped, and I struggled to fully invest in Bryony and Jack’s journey. Though it had some fun and lighthearted scenes, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.

Summary of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

She’s written dozens of smash hit novels as a ghostwriter. Too bad no one knows it.

Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers conference bursting with optimism and ready to sell her manuscript with long-shot dreams of raising awareness for The Bridge, her grandmother’s financially-struggling organization where she teaches ESL full-time. But after a disastrous pitching session, she stumbles into correcting another author’s work in a last-ditch attempt to make a good impression with the agent. And she, as it turns out, is spot on.

No one is more surprised than Bryony when the agent offers her the opportunity to be a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, popular rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees on one she’ll write books for this vain, demanding woman just as long as Jack Sterling, literary agent of the legendary Foundry Literary Agency, works to sell her own book too.

What nobody predicted, however, was that Bryony’s books would turn Amelia Benedict into the

Amelia Benedict, household name and bestselling author with millions of copies sold around the world.

And just like that, the Foundry Agency can’t let her go.

But on a personal note, Jack is realizing he can’t either.

Review of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

The Perfect Rom-Com didn’t quite live up to its title for me. Honestly, the title feels so misleading! 😬 Maybe if I had gone into the book with the right expectations, I could have enjoyed it more, but unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed. Let’s dive into the review for more details! 📖👇

Plot Analysis of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

Bryony Page has always dreamed of becoming a published author, but her real passion lies in saving her grandmother’s ESL program from shutting down. Attending her first writers’ conference, she hopes to land a book deal that will make that dream a reality. Instead, she finds herself roped into ghostwriting for rom-com superstar Amelia Benedict—who quickly rises to fame using Bryony’s words. Now, trapped in the shadow of someone else’s success, she struggles to reclaim her own voice, all while dealing with Jack Sterling, the infuriatingly charming literary agent who seems to have other plans for her future.

Characters of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

Bryony Page: I really struggled to connect with Bryony as a character, she felt flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to feel invested in her journey. Throughout the book, she kept repeating the same thoughts and struggles without much growth. Her stubbornness, especially when it came to taking advice or considering other perspectives, became frustrating rather than empowering. Instead of showing development or self-awareness, she seemed stuck in a cycle of doubt and resistance, which made it hard to root for her. I wanted to see more layers to her personality, more moments of vulnerability or introspection that would make her feel like a real, complex character. Unfortunately, that just didn’t happen for me.

Jack Sterling : We didn’t get to see much of Jack throughout the story, which made it hard to develop any real feelings for him. In the beginning, he came off as a bit rude, and later, his actions felt somewhat manipulative. This portrayal of him mostly came through Bryony’s endless monologue, but unfortunately, his character lacked the depth to make him feel like more than just a secondary figure in her narrative. Without seeing more of his internal world or growth, I couldn’t really connect with him, and he never truly evolved beyond the initial impression.

Bryony & Jack : The chemistry between Bryony and Jack felt forced, and the romance seemed to come out of nowhere. There wasn’t enough build-up in their relationship for me to root for them as a couple. Their dynamic lacked the gradual progression you usually expect in a romance, making their sudden shift from tension to romance feel unearned. The time skip of two years also threw me off, I never got the sense that they had even become friends before jumping into a romantic relationship. Without that foundation, it felt like their romance lacked the emotional depth and connection that would have made it more believable.

Pacing & writing style

The writing in The Perfect Rom-Com was quick and easy to follow, but that couldn’t make up for the repetition and the long-winded monologues from the FMC. It felt like the author was trying to include too much, and as a result, the story fell short in key areas. The romance was drowned out, making the book read more like chick lit with a romance subplot, despite the cover and synopsis suggesting otherwise.

Additionally, I felt that the author didn’t do enough research when incorporating diversity into the story. One moment that completely pulled me out of the book was the portrayal of a Muslim man flirting. As a Muslim, this was a huge no for me, flirting is forbidden in our religion, and this misrepresentation showed a lack of proper research. While I appreciate the attempt at inclusivity, it fell flat due to these inaccuracies, making the diversity feel more like a surface-level addition rather than a meaningful, well-researched aspect of the story.

The pacing in The Perfect Rom-Com felt completely off. The first half of the book was dominated by the FMC’s endless monologues and inner thoughts, making it feel sluggish and repetitive. Then, out of nowhere, there’s a two-year time jump, suddenly, the main characters are friends, and the romance just appears without any real buildup. It didn’t feel organic or earned, which made it hard to connect with their relationship. By the time the romance actually happened, it felt rushed, and the ending wrapped up too quickly. The story lacked the gradual development needed to make the emotional moments land, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their journey.

Tropes and Trigger warnings of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

Tropes of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

• Writer x Agent
• Slow burn
• Forced proximity
• Workplace romance

Trigger warnings of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

• Grief

Final Thought

The Perfect Rom-Com, a title that had me expecting a swoony, laugh-out-loud romance, but unfortunately, that’s not what I got. If you’re thinking of picking this up, go in with the right expectations, this isn’t a romance novel. It’s women’s fiction with a romance subplot, and if I had known that beforehand, I might have enjoyed it more.

The story follows Bryony, an aspiring author who dreams of publishing a book inspired by her grandmother’s legacy. But instead of securing a book deal, she ends up ghostwriting for a famous romance author, under the guidance of literary agent Jack Sterling. Sounds promising, right? I thought so too. But the execution left a lot to be desired.

For more than half the book, not much really happens. Bryony’s endless internal monologues overshadow the actual plot, making it feel like I was just stuck in her head instead of experiencing the story. Jack, the supposed love interest, barely gets enough development to make an impact, and their romance? Practically nonexistent for most of the book. Then suddenly, a two-year time skip! Instead of watching their dynamic evolve naturally, we’re just told they’re now friends, and out of nowhere, the romance is tacked on. It felt rushed and unearned.

I also struggled with the book’s attempt at inclusivity. While I appreciate diverse representation, it felt under-researched, especially one particular moment involving a Muslim character that completely took me out of the story. Small details like this matter, and unfortunately, they weren’t handled with the care they deserved.

I really wanted to love this one, and I do think some readers might connect with Bryony’s journey of self-discovery. But if you’re looking for a true rom-com, this isn’t it. It’s mostly about Bryony’s personal growth, with a sprinkle of romance on the side.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the audiobook ARC! While this one wasn’t for me, I appreciate the opportunity to read it early.

About the author

Practical Information for Readers

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson Book Formats

The Perfect Rom-Com is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:

• Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
• eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
• Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
• PDF The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.

Where to find The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson PDF

1. Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
2. Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
3. Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson Age Rating

Based on Melissa Ferguson’s writing style and the “closed-door” nature of The Perfect Rom-Com, it is likely suitable for ages 13+ or 14+. It falls into the category of clean contemporary romance, making it appropriate for both young adult and adult readers.